Kemal Zeytinoğlu Explained

Primeminister:Adnan Menderes
Term Start:22 December 1950
Term End:1955
Birth Date:1911
Birth Place:Kütahya, Ottoman Empire
Death Date:17 February
Death Place:Jordan's Wood, Newdigate, Surrey, England
Burialdate:24 February 1954
Restingplace:Eskişehir, Turkey
Party:Democrat Party (1946–1960)
Nationality:Turk
Children:2

Kemal Zeytinoğlu (1911–1959) was a Turkish engineer and politician being a member of the Democrat Party (DP). He assumed various cabinet posts in the 1950s under Prime Minister Adnan Menderes. He died in a plane crash in the United Kingdom.

Early life and education

Zeytinoğlu was born in Kütahya in 1911. His father was a businessman, Mesut Zeytinoğlu. The family hailed from Tavşanlı, Kütahya. His brother, Aziz, was also a politician and served as a deputy between 1961 and 1969.[1] His younger brother was Mümtaz Zeytinoğlu, a businessman who died in a road accident on February 1979.[2]

He graduated from Istanbul Engineering School and received a PhD in civil engineering in Vienna.[3]

Career

Following his graduation Zeytinoğlu worked as a civil engineer in Eskişehir. In 1946 he joined the newly founded Democrat Party and took part in the establishment of its Eskişehir organization.[3] He was first elected as a deputy for Eskişehir in 1946 election and served at the Parliament during the 8th legislature. He also served at the Parliament in the 9th and 10th legislatures.

Zeytinoğlu was first appointed minister of public works on 22 December 1950[4] [5] and remained in office in the three successive cabinets led by Adnan Menderes (19th cabinet, 20th cabinet and 21st cabinet).

Personal life and death

He was married and had two children.[6]

Zeytinoğlu was accompanying Prime Minister Adnan Menderes in a state visit on the Cyprus issue to be held in London on 17 February 1959.[3] [7] The plane crashed in Jordan's Wood, Newdigate, Surrey, near London Gatwick Airport, and killed Zeytinoğlu and thirteen other Turkish officials, including crew members.[3] [7] Menderes survived the accident.[3] [7] Zeytinoğlu's body was brought to Ankara by the British Air Force plane and then, to Eskişehir by train for burial which took place on 24 February.[3]

Legacy

There are many streets named after him in Tavşanlı, Kütahya, and Eskişehir.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Ayhan Aydıner. Üç Sazak Üç Zeytinoğlu. 20 November 2022. Son Haber. 30 June 2018. tr.
  2. Web site: Mümtaz Zeytinoğlu. Biyografi. 20 November 2022. tr.
  3. Marmara University. Çağhan Sarı. Eskişehir'de Siyasi Hayat (1946-1960). 36,104–106. . 2019. MA. 9798691289828. tr.
  4. Beril Yaşar Teksoy. Demokrat Parti'de parti içi demokrasi (1946-1960). Dokuz Eylül University. 37. MA. 2010. 20.500.12397/10709.
  5. Developments of the Quarter: Comment and Chronology. The Middle East Journal. Spring 1951. 5. 2. 213. 4322271.
  6. Web site: Kemal Zeytinoğlu. Biyografya. 20 November 2022. tr.
  7. Süleyman İnan. İngiliz Belgelerinde Adnan Menderes'in Uçak Kazası. Belgi Dergisi. 2020. 2. 19. 1884–1909. 10.33431/belgi.657105. 213298034 . tr. free. 11499/45285. free.